Tofino Mudflats (11043)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Tofino Mudflats
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.0700, Longitude: -125.7800
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 99.75716
Protected area coverage (%): 48.05
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Tofino Mudflats are situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island near the town of Tofino, and encompasses the shorelines and mudflats of the Browning Passage as well as adjacent Chesterman Beach. Approximately half of the site is made up of six distinct mudflats known locally as Arakun Flats, Ducking Flats, Doug Bank's Flats, Maltby Slough, South Bay, and Grice Bay. The mudflats, exposed daily by the tide, support a rich invertebrate community as well as plant life in the form of eel grass beds and algae, giving way to saltmarsh and then forest at the high water mark.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Tofino Mudflats was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for one threatened bird species (Marbled Murrelet) and two aggregating bird species (Least Sandpiper, and Western Sandpiper). In addition to global significant bird species, this site also supports nationally significant populations of two aggregating bird species (Glaucous-winged Gull and Whimbrel).
Manageability of the site: Tofino Mudflats intersects or contains two protected areas consisting of Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area managed by Government of British Columbia; and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Of Canada managed by Parks Canada.
Delineation rationale: The Tofino Mudflats KBA encompasses the shorelines and mudflats of the Browning Passage as well as adjacent Chesterman Beach. Approximately half of the site is made up of six distinct mudflats known locally as Arakun Flats, Ducking Flats, Doug Bank's Flats, Maltby Slough, South Bay, and Grice Bay.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 40 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |